Photographic developing and washing apparatus



May 16, 1944. A. WILDMAN PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING AND WASHING APPARATUS Filed June 9, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7/ Q- WW M 23% 97:21, fl W 6 May 16, 1944. 1.. A. WILDMAN PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING AND WASHING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 9, 1942 Patented May 16, 1944 PHOTOGRAPH) DEVELOPING AND WASHING APPARATUS Loyd A. Wildman, Charleston, W. Va.

Application June 9, 1942, Serial No. 446,370

Claims.

This invention relates to photographic developing and washing apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus of this character designed for home or amateur use.

One object of the invention is to provide simple, motor-driven means for continuously rocking a developing tank of the conventional type, so as to agitate the liquid therein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus, in the form of a convenient unit, which may be placed upon and supported by any suitable receptacle, such as an ordinary sink or basin, and which is provided with means whereby a film holder may be suspended therefrom so as to be immersed in water contained in the receptacle, and whereby such film holder may be continuously reciprocated, so as to thoroughly wash the film.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved apparatus as it appears when supported on an ordinary sink or the like, parts being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof looking from the side opposite to that of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the tank removed from the holder.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my improved apparatus comprises a base I, preferably of elongated form, and which may conveniently consist of a wooden board or the like. As shown in Fig. 1, this is adapted to restupon and be supported by a receptacle such as a tub, sink or the like, shown at X.

Secured to the base I are a pair of upstanding brackets 2, in which is iournalled a transversely extending rock shaft 3.

Rigidly secured to this rock shaft between the supporting brackets 2 is an open pan or tray 4, best shown in Fig. 4, in which a developing tank 5 of the usual form is adapted to fit or seat, so that the tray 4 serves as a holder for the tank. It will be understood that the tank merely sits in the tray or holder, without being fastened therein, so that it is readily removable therefrom, as shown in Fig. 4.

This tank may be of the type having a central upstanding shaft 6, which is normally adapted to be rotated by hand, for the purpose of moving the film with respect to the solution contained in the tank.

According to the present invention, I replace the usual hand operating means at the upper end of the shaft 6 by a spider I having radial arms, as shown in Fig. 2, which spider is rigidly secured to the shaft 6.

A pawl 8 pivoted at 9 to a supporting post id, secured to the base I, is arranged to ride upon and engage the arms of the spider l, as shown in Fig. 2.

Fixed to one end of the shaft 3 is a crank arm H (see Fig. 3) and this is connected by means of a pitman or link l2, with a crank l3, secured to the end of a shaft projecting from a gear box ll. The gearing in this box is operatively connected to a small electric motor 15, so as to be driven thereby.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that as the motor l5 runs, the gearing in the box ll will be driven and the crank l3 caused to turn, thus, by means of the link [2 and crank arm H, oscillating the rock shaft 3 and with it the developing tank 5, thus effectively agitating the liquid in the tank. As the tank oscillates from one side to the other, as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 3, the pawl 8, which extends in a direction generally parallel with the plane of oscillation successively engages the spokes or arms of the spider I, thus causing the spider to turn, step by step. It will be understood that the frictional resistance of the shaft is sufficient to hold it from turning backward as the pawl rides idly over the spider arms during movement'of the tank in one direction. Thus the shaft 6 is caused to rotate, carrying the film with it, and in this way uniform contact of the liquid with all parts of the film is assured.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that one end of the shaft 3, designated 3, projects laterally beyond the edge of the base I, and to such projecting end is rigidly secured a horizontally extending arm it, from the end of which depends a link or rod ll, which, by means of a double ended hook I8, engages and supports a film spool l9. It will be understood that the film spool is thus suspended from the arm IS in such position that it is immersed in water in the sink or receptacle X. Thus as the developing tank 5 is oscillated, to develop one roll of film, the spool I9 is reciprocated in the water in order to thoroughly wash another roll of film which may have just been developed.

While I have described both the developing and washing operations as taking place simultaneously, it will of course be understood that if there is only one film to be treated, it may first be placed in the tank I and developed. and then the spool containing it may be attached to the arm ll tor the washing operation. In this case, 0! course. the developing tank may be removed from the holder while the film is being washed.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that my improved apparatus is extremely simple in construction and operation, and is designed for handling standard developing tanks and standard film spools. It will also be clear that the base, on which the driving mechanism is mounted, constitutes a convenient unit which may be readily placed upon and supported by any ordinary household receptacle capable of containing water, such, for example. as a tub, basin. or kitchen sink, and that the cleats I on the under surface of the base are provided to prevent accidental dislodgment 0f the base from a supporting receptacle.

What I claim is:

1. Photographic developing and washing apparatus comprising a base adapted'to rest on and be supported by a receptacle, a horizontal rock shalt iournalled on said base and extending beyond the same, a developing tank rigidly mounted. on said shaft, a crank arm on that part of said shaft extending beyond said base, a film position as to be immersed in a liquid in the receptacle on which said base rests, and means for continuously rocking said tank supporting means. whereby said film holder is simultaneously recipiocated in the liquid.

3. Photographic developing and washing apparatus comprising a base adapted to rest on and be supported by a receptacle, a developing tank mounted on said base, a film holder suspended below said base in such position as to be immersed in a liquid in said receptacle, a shaft journalled on said base, means for oscillating said shaft, and means operated by the oscillation of said shaft for simultaneously rocking said tankdand reciprocating said film holder in the liqui 4. Photographic developing and washing apparatus comprising a base adapted to rest on and be supported by a receptacle, a developing tank. means for mounting said tank on said base for rocking movement with respect thereto, means for continuously rocking said tank, and means movable with said tank from which a film holder may be suspended below said base in such position as to be immersed in a liquid in said receptacle.

5. Photographic developing and washing apparatus comprising a base adapted to rest on and be supported by a receptacle, a horizontal rock shalt iournaled on said base, a developing tank rigidly mounted on said shalt, means to continuously oscillate said shaft, and an arm on said shalt from which a film holder may be suspended below said base in such position as to be immersed in a liquid in the receptacle on which said base rests.

BOYD A. WILDMAN. 

